It is a singular honor for one of New York’s singular houses of worship.

St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral — the city’s first Catholic church, whose cornerstone was laid in 1809 — was officially elevated to the status of basilica Sunday, a move approved by Pope Benedict.

The designation changes little about the church, which has served generations of immigrant Catholics.

But it does confer certain ceremonial rites, privileges and responsibilities.

Most of all, it recognizes Old St. Patrick’s “historical, spiritual, cultural and artistic value” — as a justifiably proud Archbishop Timothy Dolan put it.

Though listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the church — located at the corner of Mott and Prince streets — is no mere museum piece.

While it has not been the seat of the Diocese of New York since 1879, when its larger Midtown namesake was opened, Old St. Patrick’s, noted Dolan, remains “a living, breathing, loving, embracing, serving parish.”

And now it has been recognized by the Vatican for its two centuries of profound history and service.